Straight line multiple filling machine



Feb. 26, 1935. p M B'LACKMAN I 1,992,464 I STRAIGHT LINE MULTIPLEFILLING MACHINE Filed OGt G, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Feb. 26, 1935. P, M. BLACKMAN 1,992,464

STRAIGHT LIN E MULTIPLE FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 6, 1933 8Sheets-Sheet 2 ll II I 7 Z8 25 l i /a 92 1 g g 27 20 /9 Kev/ n 6'4 2/INVENTOR. P///. o M Ema/WAN ATTORNEY.

Feb. 26, 1935. P, 'M. BLACKMAN 1,992,464

STRAIGHT LINE MULTIPLE FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 6, 1955 8.Sheet's-Sheet 3' I INVENTOR. 1 PHI/.0 M BMC/fM/M/ ATTORNEY.

Feb. 26, 1935.

P. M. BLACKMAN STRAIGHT LINE MULTIPLE FILLING MIICHINE Filed Oct. 6,1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. I P/mo M. EZ/ac/rMA/v W MW ATTORNEY..

Feb. 26, 1935. p AN 1,992,464

STRAIGHT LINE'MULTIPLE FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 6, 1955 v sSheets-Sheet 6 1 3 Q z k m a 6 a a w 6 6 p. cr/m 9 a 2 7 5 a 6 4 M a a Za M a fi 3 4 J x a J v a M a x liZ INVENTOR. P/f/LO A4 Ema/WA BY Feb.26, 1935; P, M. BLACKMAN STRAIGHT LINE MULTIPLE FILLING MACHINE FiiedOct. 6, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. Pww M 5M C/fMA/V v Alan/$7 21mm.

Feb. 26, 1935. p BLACKMAN 1,992,464

STRAIGHT LINE MULTIPLE FILLING MACHINE Filed 6st. 6, 1955 a Sheets-Sheet8 f /6./6. 7 2 ii.

I I x25 /:"7 4 H6. /7 4 -92 /&

My? 1 V ATTORNEY.

Ir INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 26, 1935 Philo M. Blackmail, Elgin, 111., assignor toElgin Manuiiacturing Company, a corporation of Application October 6,1933, Serial No. 692,496

25 Claims.

My invention relates to filling machinery and like devices.

The invention relates more particularly to devices of this type utilizedfor the purpose of filling jars or other containers with liquid orsimilar material, and also with semi-liquid, plastic, or viscousmaterial.

An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus of the typedescribed for filling a plurality of cans, "jars or containers in acontinuous process.

A further object of the present invention is to provide mechanism ofthis type for filling a plurality of containers in each operation withmechanism arranged to operate upon a single line of containers movingthrough the machine in astraight line.

A further object of the present invention is to provide improvedvacuum-actuated means for filling the containers.

A further object of the present invention is.

to provide an improved vacuum jet construction for apparatus of the typedescribed.

A further object is to provide improved nozzle mechanism for use inconnection with the containers that are to be filled.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism foractuating the nozzles to co-operate with a row of containers movingthrough the machine in a continuous movement.

A further object is to provide improved container conveyor means,adjusting means for the conveyor, and an improved method of actuatingsaid conveyor.

A further object is to provide improved means for creating a vacuumfilling of the containers, a vacuum release when the containers arefilled, improved means for cleaning out the nozzles and timing means foroperating said mechanisms in accordance with the filling of thecontainers.

These and other objects will be more apparent from the followingdescription wherein reference may be had to the accompanying eightsheets of drawings, upon which Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of myimproved mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 22 ofFig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic sectional front view taken on a planeat the middle of the container conveyor illustrating above other thingsthe driving mechanism for the entire apparatus;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view,

showing the conveyor trough at the receiving end thereof;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the parts shown in Fig.4, and is takengenerally on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the support 4 and the movingvalve bar taken generally on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of one of the filler valves carriedby the valve bar and is taken generally on the line 7'? of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a plan sectional view of the valve taken on the line 88 ofFig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a plan sectional view through'the filling tube taken generallyon the line 9-9 of Fig. 7 i

Fig. 10 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of the fiuid container,compressor, air jet mechanism, and associated parts;

Fig. 11 is a full size detail of the air release valve for clearing thenozzles;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of the cam mechanism shown in Fig. 10 foroperating release valves, and is a view taken generally on the line12-12 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the parts shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a full size view in section of the air jet mechanism andassociated parts to show the hose extending to the manifold vacuumrelease valve and vacuum gauge;

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view oi. the air jet mechanism and is takengenerally on the line 15-15 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of a fillervalve showing the air jet mechanism positioned adjacent thereto;

Fig. 17 is a side elevational view thereof; and

Fig. 18 is a vertical sectional view showing the air jet mechanism whichis a portion 01' said valve.

The apparatus will bedescribed with particular reference to itsemployment in connection with putting brine or similar liquid upon jarsof pickles or similar products.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, I provide aframe constructed of upright channel members 10 which are provided withthe feet portions 11 that are adjustably attached thereto. Pairs of theuprights 10 may be placed at the two ends 01' the machine withintermediate uprights as desired. The end uprights are spaced apart, asshown in Fig. 2, and provide support for the conveying mechanism 12 anda trough 13 positioned therebelow to catch any spillage or overflowcaused during the filling operation.

In the embodiment of the machine, as previously intimated, containersare adapted to be fed through the machine in a continuous straight line,and for this purpose a containerdriving chain 14 is provided, trainedabout the sprockets 15 and 16 at the opposite ends of the machine. Theconveyor chain 14 is provided with a plurality of spaced lugs 17 which,in operation, bear against the rear of a container C and move the sameforward upon a plurality of slats 18 supported by spaced cross-members19. As more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the slats 18 with theirsupports 19 are mounted upon' angles 20 which are supported between theuprights 10. The sprocket wheels 15 and 16 are mounted upon cross-shafts21 and 22 which are carried in suitable bearings secured to the lowerside of the angles 20.

A pair of movable guide members 23 are positioned adjacent the conveyorchain 14 upon arms 24, carried by sie brackets 25 from the angle irons20. The guides 23 define a path of a predetermined width, which path maybe narrowed or widened as desired to meet conditions, by adjustment ofthe arms 24 upon the brackets 25.

In order to co-operate with the containers moving in a continuousstraight line through the machine as described, the filling nozzles 26are arranged to be moved in unison with the containers as shown by thearrows in the diagrammatic rectangle shown in Fig. 3. To accomplishthis, I provide a moving bar 27 from which the same are supported. Thisbar, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6, may be mounted in a pair ofhousings 28 within which vertical rollers 29 are mounted to co-operatewith the bar as it moves back and forth. The housings 28 are mounted atthe upper ends of two of the uprights 10 which extend upward beyond theconveyor and are to the rear of the conveyor. Movement of the bar in therectangular direction shown, guided by the rollers 29,- is accomplishedby the action of cams 30 and 31 mounted on a driven shaft 32 extendingfrom speed reducer 33.

The cam 30 engages a roller 34 mounted upon a cam bar 35 pivoted at itslower end 36 in a fixed bracket 37 and connected at its upper end to alink 38 pivotally mounted at 39 on the valve bar 27. As the cam 30revolves in a clockwise direction, it can be seen that the bar 27 willbe drawn to its extreme forward position, illustrated in Fig. 3 of thedrawings. To return the bar to its rearward position, a counterweight 40is employed. 'The counter-weight has a cord 41 trained over a pulley 42mounted on a. bracket 43 at the upper end of an upright 10. The cord 41is fixedly connected to the valve bar 27 by any suitable fastening means44. With the mechanism as thusdescribed, as the cam 30 rotates in aclockwise direction, the weight of counter-weight 40 will draw the barto its.rearward position, as shown by the diagrammatic arrows in thefragmentary dotted line showing of the bar 27.

The cam 31 operates generally to provide the vertical movement necessaryto release the vacuum after the containers are filled and to withdrawthe nozzle and move the same downwardly to engage the next containers tobe filled. The cam 31 acts upon the roller 45 which is attached to cmlever 46, pivotally mounted at its lower end upon the pivot 36 andattached at its upper end to a link 47 fixedly connected at 48 to acrosslink 49. The link 49 is connected at its opposite ends 50 and 51 toa pair of bell crank levers 52 and 53 pivotally mounted in housing 28upon pins 54. The mounting of bell cranklever 52 is shown in Fig. 6.

Each of the bell cranks carries at the end of its short lever arm aroller 55 upon which the moving valve bar 27 normally rests. The bellcrank lever 53 may have an extended arm 56 upon which counter-weight Wis adapted to be positioned in any desired manner. The action of cam 31as it revolves is as follows: The lever 46 is moved outwardly upon thetravel of the cam, and the counter-weight W, together with the powerexerted by rotation of cam 31 against roller 45 mounted on lever 46saidpower being transmitted to bell cranks 52 and 53-causes the moving bar27 to lift the fillers from the containers to the position shown in Fig.3. As the cam revolves, the cam arm 46 moves slightly to the left on itspivot 36, allowing the rollers 55 to be lowered to allow the nozzles toenter the containers and the filling valve to lie over the top thereof.It is of course understood that the actions of the two cams are so timedthat the movement of the filler nozzles 26 will be such that they willcome down, engage the container, move forward with the same for asufficient distance to fill the same, and then move upward from thecontainers and back and down, engaging a new group of containers all tothe eifect that a continuous movement of containers through the fillingmachine is accomplished.

Means for adjusting the support bar 61 are provided. The support bar 61is carried at 0pposite ends by vertical supports 62 which are mounted inbevel gears 63 supported by brackets 64 carried by the moving valve bar27. The brackets also support a cross-shaft 65 and a pair of bevel gears66 mounted at opposite ends thereof. With the arrangement shown, byturning the handwheel 67, keyed to the shaft 65, the vertical supportmembers 62 are raised or lowered as desired, thus providing a simple andeflective adjusting means for the valve support bar.

A plurality of filling valves and nozzles are adapted to be mounted uponthe support bar 61. These are so spaced that they coincide with thespacing of containers moved through the machine by the conveyor chain14. As shown in Fig. 7, each of these members may comprise a fillingtube 68 provided at its lower end with a closure member 69 having aplurality of minute openings 70 therein. The purpose of having theminute openings is to act as a strainer for the liquid passing through.The tube 68 is further formed with a pair of milled slots 71 in oppositesides thereof for a purpose which will presently be described.

The tube 68 is surrounded by a vacuum tube member 72 which has its lowerend spun in as shown, to provide an effective seal around the exteriorof the tube 68, except at the slots 71. A sealing member 73, preferablyof resilient material, is attached to the vacuum tube 72 and is mountedupon a bracket 74 which is secured to the tube 72 by means of a boltmember 75. With this construction, the sealing member may be' raised orlowered as desired, and then fixedly secured in position.

The upper end of vacuum tube 72 may have a body portion 76 formedadjacent its upper end with an annular groove 77. The portion 76 ispositioned in the internal bore 78 of a valve body member 79 which has alug portion 80 through which the fastening bolts 81 pass to secure thesame upon the valve support bar 61. A nut member 82 is securely fastenedto the lower end of body 79 to support the vacuum tube 72 in positiontherein. The upper end of body 79 has a reduced bore 83 and an enlargedbore 84 forming a shoulder 85 thereupon.

The upper end of filling tube 68 is provided with a body portion 86formed with a collar 87 which rests upon the shoulder 85. A cap member90, formed with a flange 91, rests upon the upper end of valve body 79and is arranged to be held in fixed position thereon by a turret nut 92which screw-threadedly engages the upper end of valve body 79. The capmember is formed with an internal bore 93 and an opening 94 in one ofits side walls within which a tubular member95 is adapted to be fixedlysecured by welding or any other suitable manner. A supply hose 96, whichextends from a liquid supply tank, further to be described, may have itsend passed over the tube 95 and be securely fixed thereto by a suitableclamp member 97.

The vacuum tube body 76 is formed with a side opening 98 whichcommunicates with the passageway formed by the annular groove 77. Aninlet union 99 is screw-threadedly mounted in an opening 100 in valvebody 79 and communicates with the passageway formed by the annulargroove 77. The union 99 is connected to a suit-.

able pipe nipple 101 by a nut member 102. The nipple 101 has apassageway therein in line with the passageway in the union 99. Thisunion is screw-threadedly mounted in a manifold member 102 which isconnected with an air jet mechanism by means of the elbow 103 and thehose connection 104. The hose 104 is connected to the elbow 103 bysuitable clamp means 105.

Referring now to Figs. 10 to 15, the air jet mechanism for creating avacuum in the tube 72 will now be described.

connected, by means of the piping 114, with an expansion tank 115, whichis supported by a bracket 116 mounted upon the casing of a speed reducer117. V

The expansion tank is provided with-the usual pressure gauge 118 toindicate the air pressure therein, and a safety valve 119 to guardagainst abnormal pressures. Suitable piping 120 extends from the upperend of the expansion tank 115 to a strainer unit 121, which is filledwith suitable strainer material, such as layers of excelsior and felt122.

An elbow 123' extends from the upper end of strainer unit 121 to the airjet assembly 124. The air jet member may comprise a body 125 formed witha reduced inlet 126 and a reduced outlet 127.

An inlet nozzle 128 may be mounted in opening 134 in the overflow nozzlethen flares outwardly thereof.

A union 135,' positioned adjacent the inlet 'nozzle 128, is held-inplaceby means of a nut member 136, which screw-threadedly engages an exteriorthr'eadedportion of the air jet body 126.

The extended end of' the union 135 screwthreadedly engages the elbow 123to affect a passageway from the air strainer 121 to the air jetassembly. The opposite end of the air jet body is formed with ascrew-threaded portion which is engaged 'by a nut member 137, whichsupports adjacent the end of the overflow nozzle a tubular conduit 138,which extends from the air jet assembly to an air release valve 139,which has a pipe member extending downwardly into the liquid reservoir141. A silencer 142 of any usual type may be secured to the lower end ofpipe- 140 tomuflle the sound of air passing therethrough.

The air'release valve 139 is shown in detail in Fig. 11 and comprisesthe vertical cylindrical housing member 143 within which a movable valvemember 144 is mounted. The valve has a stem 145 which is guidedvertically in a bushing nut- 146 screw-threadedly mounted in the upperend of the valve body. .The valve stem carries a member thus normallytends to hold the valve 144 in an upper position, thus allowing a clearpas-' sageway through the conduits 139 and .140. Means for actuatingvalve 144 to close said pas sageway momentarilyduring a fillingoperation are provided and comprise the valve lever 149 pivotallymounted upon a support bracket 150, which is fastened to the airstrainer 121.

The'valve lever has an end which bears on the valve stem 145 and anopposite end within which an operating rod 151 is mounted.

This rod extends downwardly as shown on the drawings and carries withroller 153 is mounted. Movement of lever 149 in a rocking manner isprovided by a cam 154 its lower end a collar member 152, upon theside ofwhich acam,

which has a rise 155 thereon'that engages the I roller 153 once duringeach revolution of the cam shaft 32, thus aflecting a momentaryclosure]v of valve 139 once during each rotation of the cam shaft 32.

Referring now to Fig. 14, I have shown a.

vacuum gauge fitting 156, which is connected to the air jet assembly124, by meansof a union 157 and a pipe fitting 158. The gauge fitting156 has a passageway 160 therein, which connects, by means of thepassageway 161 in union 157, with the air jet assembly. A boss 162 witha passageway 163 therein extends outwardly from one side of .thefitting, and has connected 'to it' the hose member 104 whichextends-forward to the flller nozzles 26.

A vacuum breaking valve 164 is positioned in aboss 165 upon one side offitting 156, which has a passageway 167 communicating with the bore 160.The valve 164 may comprise generally a valve member 168 having valvestem 170 thereon, compressed position the spring v171 between a washer172 at the upper end thereof and a shoulder 173 formed in the body ofthe valve member 164.

which supports in a From the drawings, it is believed to be clear a thatdownward pressure upon theupper end of valve stem 170 will open apassageway to'atmosphere, by means of bore 167, thus serving to breakthe vacuum in hose 104 when desired.

Means for aflecting this action include a lever arm 174 pivotallysupported by a bracket 175 which is mounted on the boss 165 of the gaugefitting. The outer end of lever 174 is connected by a rod 176 with acollar 1'77, which rests upon cam shaft 32. The collar 177 carries aroller 178 to'engage a cam 179 formed similar to cam 154. This mechanismis adapted to tilt lever 174 to break the vacuum in the hose 104 torelease the containers from the filler nozzles at the instant thecontainer is filled with liquid.

The reservoir 141, which contains the liquid which it is desired to movethrough the filler nozzles into the containers passing through themachine, is positioned upon the frame directly behind the filling nozzlemechanism. Each of the hose members 96, which extend from the turret ofthe valve nozzles back and downwardly into the reservoir, is adapted tobe fixedly connected to a support member 190 which is carried by thesupport bar 61. Each of the conduits 96 has a ball check valve 191 in afitting 192 carried at the lower end of the support 190. This valve isfor the purpose of preventing a return fiow of liquid to the reservoir.

The operation of the machine will now be described.

Containers, such as those shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, are firstfilled with pickles, pickled I pigs feet, lambs tongue, or any otherdesirable product, and then fed onto the conveyor 14 from the left-handside of the machine. As the con- .tainers pass below the filler nozzles26, the drive for the cams 30 and 31 is so timed that the filler headswill come down and engage the tops of the containers, the sealing member73 resting on the top of the containers and affecting the seal overthecontainer. A continuous suction is being created in the vacuum tube 72by the air jet mechanism 125. This suction is accomplished in thefollowing manner.

The compressor 110 operating constantly is building up pressure in theexpansion tank 115, which is in communication with the air jet body 125through the piping 120, filter tank 121, and elbow 123. The air rushingthrough connection 135 and inlet nozzle 130 blows into the enlargedmonth 132 of the member 129, thus creating suction in the interior ofjet body 125. This suction draws air through the connection 157 and hose104, which are connected to the vacuum tube 72 by means of the manifold102,

fitting 101, and connector nipple 99. Thus, when the sealing member 73is resting upon the top of a container, a vacuum is created in saidcontainer.

The valve discharge nozzle 68, which is positioned in the center of thesealing member 73 thus has a suction created therein by the action ofthe air jet, and causes brine, or other liquid which it is desired toplace in the containers, to be drawn from the supply tank or reservoir141.

The check valves 191 close: off the supply of brine or liquid theinstant the vacuum is broken. As the brine or liquid is drawn into thecontainers, it gradually rises to fill the same, until the openings 71in the vacuum tube are submerged in the liquid. Thus, when the level ofthe liquid in the containers reaches and closes the series of air escapeslots 71, the excess liquid being drawn into the valve chamber passesthrough the vacuum orifice, is taken up by the 'air stream, and returnedto reservoir 141 through the pipe 140. -When the valve is raisedsufficiently to break the seal on the container, the vacuum is alsobroken and the liquid ceases to flow.

At this point in the operation of the machine, however, the cam .179will have revolved upon cam shaft 32 to bring the rise on the cam to anoperating position to open the vacuum release valve 164 to break thevacuum in the conduit to the filler nozzles. At the same instant, cam 31operates to raise the support bar 61, upon which all of the fillernozzles are mounted, away from the containers; and the filler nozzlesare carried back to duplicate the operation as previously described.When the filler nozzles are moved to the left of the machine, the cam154 operates through lever 149 to shut off the air discharge through thepipe 140, thus momentarily causing all of the air being pumped throughthe jet body under pressure to flow forward through hose 104 and blowout particles of food stuffs or other particles which may have lodged inthe passageway 71, thus efiectively cleaning them and preparing thedevice for the next operation.

In Figs. 16, 1'7 and 18, I have illustrated a modified form of valve orair jet mechanism, wherein the valve body 79 and the air jet body 125are formed integrally. The turret head 90, is also formed with a rigidL-shaped pipe member 95, which may extend downwardly into a reservoirand have mounted at its lower end the check valve 91 mounted in the cage92.

It will be noted that, by this construction, only a single valve isutilized in connection with an air jet assembly. The valve will be foundparticularly useful in any automatic filling machine for drawing liquidsinto containers of any size or shape. The device operates on theprinciple of drawing the liquid into the valve by the vacuum created inthe valve through the use of air under pressure flowing through the airjet assembly 125, which is connected directly to the valve, and whichhas an opening 125a connecting the interior of the valve and the air jethousing.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred form of generalmachine, and a preferred and a modified form of the valve assembly, itwill be understood that changes and variations may be made in theparticular arrangement of parts or construction, and I do not wish to belimited in any detail; rather, what I desire to secure and protect byLetters Patent of the United States is:

1. Apparatus of the type described comprising in combination ahorizontal conveyor for containers to be filled, spaced lugs on saidconveyor, guide means on both sides of said conveyor, means for movingsaid conveyor forward in a straight line at a continuous rate of speed,means associated with said conveyor for filling said containers duringtheir forward movement, said means including vacuum producing means fordrawing a filling liquid into said containers, and automatic means forreleasing the vacuum when said containers are filled.

2. Apparatus of the type described comprising in combination ahorizontal conveyor for containers to be filled, spaced lugs on saidconveyor, guide means on both sides of said conveyor, means for drivingsaid conveyor at a continuous rate of speed to carry the containersforward in a straight line, means associated with said conveyor for.filling said containers during their images 'means for releasing thevacuum when-said conhorizontal conveyor chain trained over saidsprockets, spaced lugs on said chain, means for driving said chain in acontinuous forward movement to convey containers to be filled,adjustable guide means adjacent said conveyor for guiding containerspassing therethrough in a straight line, a liquid reservoir on saidbase, and vacuum filling means associated with said reservoir, saidmeans adapted to engage the tops of said containers during their forwardtravel, fill the same with liquid from said reservoir, and disengagesaid containers when they are filled.

4. Apparatus of the type described comprising a rectangular base member,a pair of sprocket wheels mounted in opposite ends of said base, ahorizontal conveyor chain trained over said sprockets, spaced lugs onsaid chain, means for driving said chain in a continuous forwardmovement, ach'ustable guide means adjacent said conveyor for guidingcontainers passing therethrough in a straight line, a liquid reservoiron said base, and vacuum filling means associated with said reservoir,said means including nozzle members adapted to engage the tops of saidcontainers during their forward travel, fill the same with liquid fromsaid reservoir, and disengage said containers when they are filled.

5. Apparatus of the type described comprising a base member, horizontalconveyor means mounted on said base, said conveyor adapted to movecontainers to be filled in a straight line through said machine in acontinuous movement,

a reservoir, means comprising vacuum fillers associated with saidreservoir, said fillers adapted to be lowered to engage the tops of saidcontainers, move forward therewith, and fill the same with liquid fromsaid reservoir, raised from said containers and returned to theiroriginal position to engage further containers.

6. The combination of a base member, a horizontal conveyor mountedthereon adapted to move containers forward ina straight line, vacuummeans for filling said containers during said movement, said meanscomprising a liquid reservoir, a plurality of filler heads adapted toengage the tops of said containers during their forward movement andfill the same with liquid from said reservoir, means for moving saidfiller heads comprising a moving support bar, said filler heads mountedon said bar, and cam operated means for moving said bar forward, up,backward, and down, in a continuous operation.

7. A straight line filling machine comprising a base, a horizontalconveyor mounted thereon, guide means associated therewith, said guidemeans forming a trough for a plurality of containers moving forward onsaid conveyor, a liquid reservoir, a moving support bar, a plurality offilling nozzles mounted on said bar, said nozzles adapted to engage thetops of said containers during their forward movement, means for drawingliquid from said reservoir through said filling nozzles comprising anair jet member, and means for forcing air under pressure past said jetmemher for creating a vacuum to draw liquid from said reservoir to saidfilling nozzles.

8. A straight line filling machine comprising a base, a horizontalconveyor mounted thereon, guide means associated therewith, said guidemeans forming a trough for a plurality of containers moving forward onsaid conveyor, a liquid reservoir, a moving support bar, a plurality offilling nozzles mounted on said bar, said nozzles adapted to engage thetops of said containers during their forward movement, means for drawingliquid from said reservoir through said filling nozzles comprising anair jet member, means for forcing air under pressure past said jetmember for creating a vacuum to draw liquid from said reservoir to saidfilling nozzles, means for breaking said vacuum when said containers arefilled, and means for controlling the flow of air for clearing saidfiller nozzles after each filling operation.

9. A straight line filling machine comprising a base, a horizontalconveyor mounted thereon, guide means associated therewith, said guidemeans forming a trough for a plurality of containers moving forward onsaid conveyer, a liquid reservoir, a moving support bar, a plurality offilling nozzles mounted on said bar, cam means for actuating said bar,said bar moved so that said nozzles engage the tops of said containersduring their forward movement, air jet means for drawing liquid fromsaid reservoir through said filling nozzles, means for forcing air underpressure past said jet member and creating a vacuum to draw liquid fromsaid reservoir to said filling nozzles, means for breaking said vacuumwhen said containers are filled, and means for controlling the flow ofair for clearing said filler nozzles after each filler operation.

10. The combination of a base member, a horizontal conveyor mountedthereon adapted to move containers carried thereby forward in a straightline, vacuum means for filling said containers during said movement,said means comprising a liquid reservoir, a plurality of filler headsadapted to engage the tops of said containers during their forwardmovement and fill the same with liquid from said reservoir, an air jetmember for creating said vacuum, means for moving said filler headsaccordingto the movement of said containers comprising a moving supportbar, said filler heads mounted on said bar, and cam operated means formoving said bar forward, up, backward, and down, in a continuousoperation.

11. A straight line filling machine comprising a base, a horizontalconveyor mounted thereon, guide means associated therewith, said guidemeans forming a trough fora plurality of containers moving forward onsaid conveyor, a liquid reservoir, a moving support bar, a plurality offilling nozzles mounted on said bar, said nozzles adapted to engage thetops of said containers during their forward movement, means for drawingliquid from said reservoir through said filling nozzles comprising anair jet member, and means for forcing air under pressure past said jetmember causing a vacuum to draw liquid from said reservoir to saidfilling nozzles, said means ineluding a compressor, an expansion tankand a plurality of filling nozzles mounted thereon,

said nozzles adapted to engage the tops of said containers during theirsaid movement, and means for drawing liquid from said reservoir to saidfilling nozzles, said means including an air Jet member, a compressor,an expansion tank and conduits extending therefrom to said air jetmember, means for breaking a vacuum caused by directing air underpressure past said jet member when said containers are filled, and meansfor controlling the fiow of air for clearing said filler nozzles aftereach filling operation.

13. A filler head comprising a filling tube, a vacuum tubetelescopically mounted thereon, a sealing member for engagement with acontainer adiustably mounted on said vacuum tube, a body portion at theupper end of said vacuum tube having an annular groove therein, a bodymember within which both said tubes are mounted, a cap memberthereabove, a conduit from said cap member to a reservoir and fasteningmeans on the upper and lower ends of said body member for securing theparts thereof together.

14. A filler head comprising a filling tube, a

' vacuum tube telescopically mounted thereon, a

sealing member for engagement with a container adjustably mounted onsaid vacuum tube, a body portion at the upper end of said vacuum tubehaving an annular groove therein, a filler body member within which bothsaid tubes are mounted, a conduit extending from said body to a suctionmechanism, a cap member thereabove, a conduit from said cap member to areservoir and fastening means on the upper and lower ends of said fillerbody for securing the parts thereof together.

15. A filler head comprising a filling tube, said filling tube formedwith a plurality of minute openings at its lower end and a pair ofgrooves in the side walls thereof, a vacuum tube telescopically mountedthereon, a sealing member for engagement with a container adjustably'mounted on said vacuum tube, a body portion at the upper end of saidvacuum tube having an annular groove therein, a filler body memberwithin which both said tubes are mounted, a conduit extending from saidbody to a suction mechanism, a cap member thereabove, a conduit fromsaid cap member to a reservoir and fastening means on the upper andlower ends of said filler body member for securing the parts thereoftogether.

16. A filler head comprising a filling tube, a vacuum tubetelescopically mounted thereon, a sealing member for engagement with acontainer adjustably mounted on said vacuum tube, a body portion at theupper end of said vacuum tube having an annular groove therein, a fillerbody member within which both said tubes are mounted, a cap memberthereabove, a conduit from said cap member to a reservoir, fasteningmeans on the upper and lower ends of said body member for securing theparts thereof together, said body member having an integral part thereofforming a chamber and an air jet assembly secured therein.

17. A filler head comprising a filling tube, a vacuum tubetelescopically mounted thereon, a sealing member for engagement with acontainer adjustably mounted on said vacuum tube, a body portion at theupper end of said vacuum tube having an annular groove therein, a bodymember within which both said tubes are mounted, a cap memberthereabove, a conduit from said cap member to a reservoir, fasteningmeans on the upper and lower ends of said body member for securing theparts thereof together, said body member having an integral part thereofforming a chamber, an air jet assembly secured therein,

and a passageway between said chamber and said body member.

18. Apparatus of the type described for moving a continuous row ofcontainers forward in a straight line comprising in combination a basemember, a pair of sprocket wheels mounted in opposite ends of said basemember, a horizontal conveyor chain trained over said sprockets, equallyspaced upwardly projecting lugs on said chain, a pair of parallel guidemembers, one on each side of said chain comprising vertical continuouswall members, means for driving said conveyor at a continuous rate ofspeed, means associated with said conveyor for filling said containersduring their forward movement, said means including a reservoir, aconduit to said filling means, vacuum producing means for drawing afilling liquid from said reservoir into said container, and automaticmeans for releasing the vacuum when said containers are filled.

19. Apparatus of the type described for moving a continuous row ofcontainers forward in a straight line comprising in combination a basemember, a pair of sprocket wheels mounted in opposite ends of said basemember, a horizontal conveyor chain trained over said sprockets, equallyspaced upwardly projecting lugs on said chain, a pair of parallel guidemembers, one on each side of said chain comprising vertical continuouswall members, means for driving said conveyor at a continuous rate ofspeed, a liquid reservoir on said base, and vacuum filling meansassociated with said reservoir,'said means adapted to engage the tops ofsaid containers during their forward travel, fill the same with liquidfrom said reservoir, and disengage said containers when they are filled.

20. Apparatus of the type described for moving a continuous row ofcontainers forward in astraight line comprising in combination a basemember, a pair of sprocket wheels mounted in opposite ends of said basemember, a horizontal conveyor chain trained over said sprockets, equallyspaced upwardly projecting lugs on said chain, a pair of parallel guidemembers, one on each side of said chain comprising vertical continuouswall members, means for driving said conveyor at a continuous rate ofspeed, a liquid reservoir on said base, and a vacuum filling meansassociated with said reservoir, said means including nozzle membersadapted to engage the tops of said containers during their forwardtravel, fill the same with liquid from said reservoir, and disengagesaid containers when they are filled.

21. Apparatus of the type described comprising a rectangular basemember, a pair of sprocket wheels mounted to opposite ends of said base,a horizontal conveyor chain trained over said sprockets, spaced lugs onsaid chain, means for driving said chain in a continuous forwardmovement, adjustable guide means adjacent said conveyor for guidingcontainers passing therethrough in a straight line, said meanscomprising a pair of parallel continuous vertical wall members spaced onboth sides of said chain, a liquid reservoir on said base, and vacuumfilling means associated with said reservoir, said means' includingnozzle members adapted to engage the tops of said containers duringtheir forward travel, fill the same with liquid from said reservoir, anddisengage said containers when they are filled.

22. A filler head comprising a filling tube, a vacuum tubetelescopically mounted thereon, a sealing member for engagement with acontainer adjustably mounted on said vacuum tube, a body portion at theupper end of said vacuum tube having an annular groove therein, a bodymember within which both said tubes are mounted, a cap memberthereabove, a conduit from said cap member to a reservoir, fasteningmeans comprising nut members screw-threadedly mounted on the upper andlower endsof said body member for securing the parts thereof together,said body member having an integral part thereof forming a chamber, anair jet assembly secured therein, and a passageway between said chamberand said body member.

23. A filler head comprising a filling tube, a vacuum tubetelescopically mounted thereon, a sealing member for engagement with acontainer adjustably mounted on said vacuum tube, a body portion at theupper end ofsaid vacuum tube having an annular groove therein, a bodymember within which both said tubes are mounted, a cap memberthereabove, a conduit from said cap member to a reservoir, fasteningmeans on the upper and lower ends of said body member for securing theparts thereof together, said body member having an integral part thereofforming a chamber, an air jet assembly secured therein, a passagewaybetween said chamber and said body member, said air jet assemblyincluding a body having a reduced inlet and a reduced outlet, an inletnozzle mounted in said inlet, an overflow nozzle mounted in said outlet,and a passageway from said inlet to a source of air pressure.

24. A filler head comprising a filling tube, a vacuum tubetelescopically mounted thereon, a

sealing member for engagement with a container adjustably mounted onsaid vacuum tube, a body portion at the upper end of said vacuum tubehaving an annular groove therein, a body member within which both saidtubes are mounted, a cap member thereabove, a conduit from said capmember to a reservoir, fastening means on the upper and lower ends ofsaid body member for securing the parts thereof together, said bodymember having an integral part thereof forming a chamber, an air jetassembly secured therein, a passageway between said chamber and saidbody member, saidair jet assembly including a body having a reducedinlet and a reduced outlet, an inlet nozzle mounted in said inlet, anoverflow nozzle mounted in said outlet, said nomles axially aligned insaid body, and a away from said inlet to asource of air pressure.

25. A filler head comprising a filling tube, a vacuum tubetelescopically mounted thereon, a sealing member for engagement with acontainer adjustably mounted on said vacuumtube, a body portion at theupper end of said vacuum tube having an annular groove therein, a bodymember within which both said tubes are mounted, a cap memberthereabove, a conduit from said cap member'to a reservoir, fasteningmeans on the upper and lower ends of said body member for securing theparts thereof together, said body member having an integral part thereofforming a chamber, an air jet assembly secured therein, a passagewaybetween said chamber and said body member, said air jet assemblyincluding a body having a reduced inlet and a reduced outlet, an inletnozzle mounted in said inlet, an overflow nozzle mounted in said outlet,said nozzles axially aligned in said body and having adjacent flaredopenings, nut members at opposite ends of said body for holding saidnomles in position, and a passageway from said inlet to a source of airpressure.

PHILO M. BLACKMAN.

